Eating and 12 hours shifts

[mysticalwaters1]

Hey everyone! I am going to start 12 hours shifts. Actually it's an ER position but if that doesn't work out I probably still look for 12 hours shifts. My concern is trying to fit in meals. I'm not diabetic but I don't want flucuate my blood sugar by being too busy to eat. I figure a meal for a lunch break then fit in 2 other times of a snack so every 4 hours get something in me.

I was thinking of powerbars or something like them such as meal replacement bars. Anybody use these? If so which ones tasted the best and was nutritous? Any of you use other types of food?

[ERNurse752, RN]

The last time I worked, all I had time for was a spoonful of peanut butter right before going home at the end of 12 hours. =p yuck

So, peanut butter is good...it's portable, doesn't need a fridge. Power bars like you said would be good, but I don't have any recommendations on specific brands.

[NICU_Nurse, BSN, RN]

Have you tried the South Beach diet peanut butter protein bars? They're really, really good and actually fill you up. I prefer these over any other snack-type bar that I've tried. Not a SBD'er, but these are tasty. :)

[JRapha'sRN]

Sounds like a good plan. I hope it works out for you... at my ER I stick a bar in my pocket and hope that I have time during the morning to grab a bite or two before lunch at around 1300.

I like Cliff and Luna bars as well as Usana Health Science's bars for being the tastiest and most filling. (especially since I can usually only find time for 2 bites at a time) I like to take patients up to the floor (if I have a transfer) when I start to get hungry--the return trip to the ER gives me a few minutes to get that bar out of my pocket and eat a few bites.

I have also heard of people peeling a hardboiled egg, wraping it in a damp papertowel then putting it in a plastic bag and having that for a portable snack. I'd say go to walmart and/or GNC and buying one of each bar that sounds appealing. Find one that you like.

[JustMe]

I work 12-hr days in an ICU. I eat breakfast before coming to work and try to take a lunch break around 11AM. Then I take a 10 min. break around 4pm. I guess what I'm trying to say is---TAKE YOUR BREAKS! You are entitled to them and no employer should be making a habit of employees not getting their breaks. Yeah, sometimes the **it hits the fan and we get busy but it should not happen each and every shift. We even have a nursing instructor who tells the students they don't get breaks because nurses usually don't get them either! What a way to recruit into the profession! Let's all be nurses so we can work ourselves to death!

Sorry but this is one area of the job that I insist on--I take my breaks and they can just pay me the overtime if necessary. If it becomes a habit that people don't get their breaks then the hospital needs to be reported to the Labor Board. All the nurses need to be on board with this and agree that everyone gets their breaks. That way no one feels put upon when one nurse is off the floor for a few minutes.

[Retired R.N.]

I work 12-hr days in an ICU. I eat breakfast before coming to work and try to take a lunch break around 11AM. Then I take a 10 min. break around 4pm. I guess what I'm trying to say is---TAKE YOUR BREAKS! You are entitled to them and no employer should be making a habit of employees not getting their breaks. Yeah, sometimes the **it hits the fan and we get busy but it should not happen each and every shift. We even have a nursing instructor who tells the students they don't get breaks because nurses usually don't get them either! What a way to recruit into the profession! Let's all be nurses so we can work ourselves to death!

Sorry but this is one area of the job that I insist on--I take my breaks and they can just pay me the overtime if necessary. If it becomes a habit that people don't get their breaks then the hospital needs to be reported to the Labor Board. All the nurses need to be on board with this and agree that everyone gets their breaks. That way no one feels put upon when one nurse is off the floor for a few minutes.

Where did anyone ever get the idea that skipping meals is an example of sensible behavior? Until all RNs get together and insist upon all members of the health care team getting breaks for meals and basic hygiene, how can we ever hope to persuade the general public that our education qualifies us to call ourselves professional people?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I like Luna Bars, South Beach Diet Bars and Zone Bars. But I'm not a fan of them, but for long busy 12-hour shifts they have their place. I also eat fruit or yogurt during those breaks. I do eat a good lunch too.

[firegenie]

I have been doing 12 hour night/day shifts for 5 years now. Best food to keep me awake and ticking along:

Apples

Yoghurt nut bar

Soup

Dates

Fruit and nut mix

Coffee (I know... not so good but I love a cuppa coffee)

I find bread/toast or heavy meals the worst.

[Toby's mum]

Yogurt--quick, healthy, somewhat filling

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I eat Peanut Butter on Whole Wheat. And I learned to eat super fast. While charting. Im sure its not attractive! :rollBut atleast I eat!